18 OUR 2019 AMBITION NETBALL QUEENSLAND IS STRUCTURED, CAPABLE AND RESOURCED TO OPTIMISE THE ACCESS, POPULARITY AND COMMERCIALISATION OF NETBALL ACROSS QUEENSLAND. HOW ARE WE PROGRESSING TOWARDS OUR 2019 AMBITION? 2 OUR PURPOSE: We are a unifying leader responsible for the growth, sustainability and success of netball. OUR VISION: To become a world-leading sports organisation, respected for transforming lives through Netball. 3 CHAIR'S REPORT IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE THAT I DELIVER THIS REPORT TO YOU, THE MEMBERS, FOR 2018, A both on and off the court, is essential to how our sport is perceived by sponsors, participants YEAR WITH MANY HIGHLIGHTS. and families. We started early with the Leaders Conference, where we continued to build numbers and where The Sapphire Series represents a step change in our approach to our player pathway, in that Wayne Goldsmith introduced us all to the mythical ‘Deirdre’ who has now become a much- it is intended to create a real stepping stone for our players to Suncorp Super Netball. It is loved icon of our sport. The feedback from members at the workshops around our ideal state very gratifying to sense the real excitement that is building in our community throughout demonstrated clearly that you were ready to embrace a new delivery model. Queensland for this competition, and it is a testament to the hard work of everyone involved. A focussed stakeholder engagement effort by Catherine and her team over some months Netball Queensland has been active on the national stage, and continues to contribute actively culminated in the Members meeting in October, at which members emphatically voted in to Netball Australia’s agenda and demonstrate leadership in the national environment at both favour of continuing to develop the BIOME model. board and management levels. The move from our own building to a purpose built, 5000 seat stadium represents an entirely I would like to thank my fellow directors for their hard work and support over the last year. new business model for Netball Queensland, and the risks and potential rewards of this They are a dedicated and immensely capable group who give their time willlingly and tirelessly venture are taken very seriously by board and management. In preparation for this, the Board for the benefit of our sport. They have shown support and loyalty to me and to Catherine at all undertook a market review to ensure that the sale of the Moorooka property achieved the best times, while always being prepared to challenge conventional thinking and to be open to new possible return. This was successful, with completion of a sale at a substantially higher value ideas. than previously estimated, occurring earlier this month. I also thank Catherine for her drive, energy and dedication to the job at hand. She is an At many times throughout the year, Board and management reflected on the contribution exceptional and inspirational CEO, who continually challenges the Board with new thinking and made by past board members of Netball Queensland to achieve this wonderful result. It is pushes us to be better. due to the fortitude and dedication of these members that we were free of debt and able to I would also like to thank our staff for their hard work and dedication to Netball Queensland. convert a substantial asset into liquid funds, with a strong balance sheet. We truly stand on the It is not easy working in a not for profit membership organisation, where you are at the behest shoulders of those who have gone before us. of all members as well as external stakeholders. Please remember that when you are frustrated It is an appropriate point to recognise the challenges posed by change at any time in an with MyNetball and feel the need to vent! organisation’s life cycle. The decisions made by those earlier board members, which have Finally I would like to thank you, the members, for working with us to create a better future shaped our current state, were challenging and in some cases, were made with just one vote for netball. Never has it been so important to remember that if you are standing still, you are separating the ‘yes’ from the ‘no’. It required tremendous courage to make those decisions, actually going backwards. We are committed to positioning our great sport so that it continues just as what we are doing now requires courage and belief in a vision. That is the true test of to be the sport of choice for women and girls, transforming lives through netball. That means leadership, to lead in times of uncertainty and doubt. we have to be prepared to be uncomfortable, having confidence that actions we take now will In the performance space, the Firebirds were successful in making the top four, having ensure the future for all those little girls who follow us. welcomed Laura Geitz back from maternity leave. Although Laura has now retired from the Thankyou. playing group, she continues to be an important part of our community and a wonderful ambassador for us and for our sport. JANE SEAWRIGHT I cannot over-emphasise the importance of the Firebirds to our brand and our revenue. In an Chair era where young people are searching for role models and heroes, and in a fiercely competitive space where netball is fighting for position with other sports, the role played by our Firebirds, 4 OUR PURPOSE: We are a unifying leader responsible for the growth, sustainability and success of netball. OUR VISION: To become a world-leading sports organisation, respected for transforming lives through Netball. 5 FROM THE CEO The 2018 - YEAR OF UNITING FLAMES Round 10 of the Suncorp Super Netball Season in 2018 was the Inaugural Indigenous Round. An The 2018 Suncorp Super Netball Season was preceded by a home Commonwealth Games, here incredible young artist, Rachael Sarra designed the Firebirds dress. Rachel is not only a proud on the Gold Coast. For most this would have been a once in a lifetime opportunity to see world Goreng Goreng woman she is also a proud netballer. She understands our history, our culture class athletic performance on the world stage. I was incredibly proud to be a Queenslander and our vision for netball. Rachel created Uniting Flames, an artwork that goes well beyond and proud of our Diamonds team. Our Lorna Jane Queensland Firebirds had a much improved the design for our Indigenous Round. It captured the essence of our purpose to transform season and played some outstanding netball. The highs like beating the undefeated Fever at lives through netball. The pages of this Annual Report will showcase some of the work that is home and in Perth were outweighed by the curse of one-goal losses, including our Semi-Final. transforming the lives of participants, coaches, officials, volunteers, fans and administrators. The Australian Diamonds suffered the same fate in their Grand Final match against England losing by one goal in the final minutes of the game. In many ways 2018 was a period of learning and growth. Growth in our participation numbers, our capacity, our broadcast audience and the general profile of netball in the marketplace. We The Netball world said goodbye to a Queensland Firebirds legend and Diamonds Captain in are relentless in finding ways to support more people across our diverse and vast communities. Laura Geitz, and welcomed to the world stage a new GA star in Gretel Tippet. Gretel shone on In 2018 we delivered education to over 2,000 coaches across Queensland and almost 300 the court for the Firebirds (playing her 50th game in the purple dress) and for the Australian coaches attended NetSetGo workshops. 313 umpires achieved national badging and Netball Diamonds alongside team-mate Gabi Simpson (Vice Captain). I want to congratulate Gabi, Queensland Bench Officials Zac Dawes and Katrina Taylor were appointed to officiate at the Gretel, Laura, Roselee (Assistant Coach) and Nannette Rigoni (Manager) on their international Commonwealth Games. achievements this year. Also, the breakout seasons of Kim Jenner and Tara Hinchliffe resulted in their inclusion in the Diamonds program squads and the Australian Fast Five team. I am very Official total registrations exceeded 70,000 this year, 712 participants attended holiday clinics, proud that the Queensland Firebirds have recruited home-grown Queensland talent, providing 800 athletes registered for the Emerging Talent Program (ETP) and 252 teams entered the State the opportunity for our players that have come through our system to shine on the world stage. Age Championship. I am very proud of the opportunities we provide for netballers in our State. Special mention to Romelda Aiken who played her 150th game for the Firebirds and Jenny From NetSetGO and club competition for all ages, to the State Age Championship, Primary Brazel who clocked up 50 games as Firebirds Assistant Coach. Schools Cup, the Emerging Talent Program, 16U Championship, Queensland Premier League, the Vicki Wilson Cup and Shield, the Queensland State Netball League (QSNL)/Sapphire Series, Our H2 and H3 conversations this year have been focused on how we strengthen and better the Queensland Fusion in the Australian Netball League (ANL), State Representative Teams, the support the netball system, particularly for future growth, and how we create unity across Lorna Jane Queensland Firebirds through to our 65+ years Walking Netball program. We want our membership to improve efficiency, collaboration and the customer experience for every people to start playing and keep playing - for life. Every year we are continually reviewing and netballer. improving these opportunities to provide everyone with access to Netball. COMPANIES DON’T FAIL BECAUSE OF CHANGES IN THE ENVIRONMENT, THEY FAIL BECAUSE THEIR LEADERS One area where we had a lot of work to do was for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ARE EITHER UNWILLING OR INCAPABLE OF DEALING WITH SAID CHANGE.